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OAKLAND, Calif. Steve Weatherford Giants Jersey . -- Free-agent left-hander Scott Kazmir agreed to terms on a $22 million, two-year contract with the Oakland Athletics on Monday, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said. The deal is pending a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadnt finalized the deal or formally announced interest in Kazmir. Also Monday, the As reached agreement on a one-year contract with right-hander Fernando Rodriguez. He was one of nine arbitration eligible players -- and all were tendered contracts for the 2014 season, including first baseman Daric Barton. Barton is the teams longest-tenured player and will provide infield depth. The 29-year-old Kazmir went 10-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 29 starts and 158 innings last season for the Cleveland Indians. It marked his return to the big leagues for the first time since making one poor outing for the Angels in 2011, which followed a 9-15 performance in 2010 for Los Angeles. With the pending acquisition of Kazmir, the As have filled a rotation spot with a veteran starter as they had hoped to do. That means the two-time defending AL West champions wont necessarily continue to pursue a new deal for 40-year-old 18-game winner Bartolo Colon. Kazmir will join a rotation featuring Sonny Gray and A.J. Griffin. General manager Billy Beane said after the season he was hopeful of re-signing Colon after he received a $3 million, one-year contract and bounced back from 2012, when his season ended in August because of a 50-game suspension for a positive testosterone test. Rodriguez was acquired in a trade with Houston last February that also brought Jed Lowrie to the As in exchange for Chris Carter, Brad Peacock and Max Stassi. Rodriguez missed the season after undergoing right elbow reconstruction surgery March 27. He is 4-13 with a 4.89 ERA in 119 career relief appearances with the Los Angeles Angels and Astros. The other arbitration-eligible players tendered contracts by Mondays deadline were outfielders Josh Reddick and Seth Smith, infielders Brandon Moss and Jed Lowrie, relief pitchers Jerry Blevins and Jesse Chavez, and catcher John Jaso. Justin Pugh Giants Jersey . The pitchers agent, Bob Garber, confirmed the decision and said Oswalt would go to work for his agency, RMG Baseball. Oswalt will be vice-president of baseball operations. Mathias Kiwanuka Jersey . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end.LOS ANGELES -- Blake Griffin had 20 points and 11 rebounds during three thunderous quarters by the Los Angeles Clippers, who routed the Lakers again 142-94 Thursday night to extend their winning streak to a season-best six games. It was the most lopsided loss in Lakers history. Darren Collison had a team-high 24 points while starting at shooting guard for the injured Jamal Crawford. Chris Paul added 13 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who apparently are trying to make up for decades of humiliation at the hands of the Lakers all in one season; theyve won the last two meetings by a combined 84 points. This was the Clippers largest victory margin over their longtime tormentors, and their sixth victory in the last seven meetings -- including a four-game sweep last season. The last time the teams met on Jan. 10, the Clips won 123-87. The Clippers are 35-98 against the Lakers since moving to Los Angeles from San Diego for the 1984-85 season, including 19-39 during their 15 seasons at Staples Center. Pau Gasol had 21 points for the Lakers, the home team for the third of four meetings this season between the Staples Center co-tenants. They also faced each other in the season opener, which the Lakers won 116-103. The Clippers had a 64-33 rebounding advantage and increased their lead in the Pacific Division to 4 1-2 games over Golden State. Theyre 21 1-2 ahead of the last-place Lakers (21-441). Mark Herzlich Giants Jersey. The Lakers are one defeat away from clinching the franchises first losing season since 2004-05 -- when newly hired coach Rudy Tomjanovich resigned midway through the teams 34-48 season. This one reached blowout proportions early. The Clippers stormed to a 73-40 halftime lead with the help of a 21-1. The arena started emptying after the third quarter ended 109-60. Griffin notched his 36th double-double and is riding a career-best streak of 21 games with 20 or more points. Crawford (left calf strain) sat out for the third straight game. Forward Jared Dudley (back spasms) missed his first of the season. Jordan Hill didnt play for the Lakers because of a sore right knee. NOTES: Renowned sports medicine specialist Dr. Frank Jobe, who died Thursday at age 88, was a consultant for many years with the Lakers in addition to his groundbreaking work with his innovative Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. ... Griffin is averaging 21.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 51.5 per cent from the field in 14 career games against the Lakers; the Clippers have won eight of them. ... Danny Granger, playing his second game with the Clippers after signing as a free agent last Friday, picked up his first three fouls during a 2 1-2 minute span early in the second quarter. He finished with 10 points in 19 minutes. ... The season series concludes on April 6 with a nationally televised matinee. ' ' ' |
